THE GRAND STAIRCASE NOTCHTOP MOUNTAIN McHenry's Peak overlooks black lake

McHenry's Peak overlooks black lake right after a dusting of snow in the glacier gorge part of Rocky Mountain National Park

This young saguaro cactus will eventually stand tall reaching a height of around 40 feet at Saguaro National Park

doesn't mean it will be an ordinary day

It was a cool August summer morning when I arrived at the trailhead to Bierstadt Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park

Over the years

THE GRAND STAIRCASE NOTCHTOP MOUNTAIN McHenry's Peak overlooks black lakeA beautiful closeup view of a frozen french canyon falls. With the extreme cold temperatures of January and February, waterfalls form as the afternoon sun begins to melt the snowfall from the previous day only to have that snow and water freeze overnight as the temperatures drop to 9F to 0F creating impressive and colorful waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park. (687 3642)